Microsoft Plays Trump With Free Browser Plan

WASHINGTON - Microsoft introduced surprising evidence at its federal antitrust trial Wednesday: that Chairman Bill Gates discussed giving away a Web browser at a meeting in the fall of 1994.

The date and declaration are significant because that is before Netscape Communications Corp. introduced even a test version of its Web browsing software, Navigator. Microsoft has been accused by Justice Department attorneys of deciding to give away its Web browser as a response to Netscape's successful introduction of a browser.

The evidence came from a deposition given by Jim Clark, one of Netscape's founders. Current Netscape Chief Executive Officer Jim Barksdale was clearly shocked by the evidence, which came as he was cross-examined by Microsoft's lead attorney, John Warden.

Barksdale told Warden he was unfamiliar with the statement.

Here's what Warden read in court:

``Question: Early in the life of Netscape as a company, you decided to give away Web browsing software for free to establish a market presence, is that correct?

``Clark: Answer: Not really. I decided to give it away free because Bill Gates had told me he was going to give it away free before we released our first beta.''

Microsoft also introduced an e-mail from Clark that appears to solicit an investment from Microsoft in the then-struggling Netscape start-up.

In that message, dated Dec.29, 1994, at 3:01 a.m., Clark suggested: ``We'd like to work with you. Working together could be in your self-interest as well as ours. Depending on the interest level, you might take an equity position in Netscape.''